Barefoot and back to nature

The garden is part-recreation of the area around the family’s country home, and part the result of putting lots of green-thumbed imaginations together to come up with something that would delight children.

It features exciting elements such as a treehouse, a campfire, a bridge and a flowing stream, with kids encouraged to get amongst it and kick their shoes off.

George and Charlotte did exactly that, going barefoot as they paddled through what appeared to be quite bracingly chilly water!

Kisses for the Queen

Yesterday the Queen visited the Back to Nature garden and was shown around by Duchess Kate with William in tow.

“It’s very tidy,” the Queen told the pair, who greeted the monarch aka granny with kisses on both cheeks.

“During the tour, Kate pointed out the blue colour scheme, featuring bluebells and forget-me-nots (Princess Diana’s favourite flower), the stream her children had played in on Sunday and the moss and sticks they had collected for the den,” People magazine reports.

“All the sticks are from Anmer and the children collected the pine cones,” Kate explained proudly, mentioning the family’s country home.

The garden features a pine tree because Prince William recalls the smell of the trees as a particularly fond childhood memory.

“So much kiddies can learn”

Speaking to the BBC about the garden she helped create, Kate explained why getting involved was so important to her noting that being outside and watching things grow helped develop everything from empathy to motor skills.

“90 percent of our adult brains are developed before the age of five and what a child experiences in those really early years directly affects how the brain develops,” Kate said.

“That’s why I think it’s so important, whether we’re parents or carers or family members, really engage in quality time with children and babies from a really young age. I really feel that nature and being interactive outdoors has huge benefits on our physical and mental wellbeing, particularly for young kiddies.”

“I really hope that this woodland that we have created, in a huge collaboration here really inspires families, kids and communities to get outside, enjoy nature and the outdoors and spend quality time together.”

Kate then hosted two primary school visits in the garden and talked the young students through its features.

“So lovely to hear George’s voice”

Followers of the royal family loved seeing them playing together and interacting on video.

“This is so amazing,” one wrote, summing it all up. “It is so lovely to hear George’s voice. And I love William on the swing. His expression on the swing is priceless. William and Kate are such amazing parents.”

“I love the way the whole family has joined together to support Kate on such an amazing project. The kids clearly enjoyed their time in their Mummy’s garden. And I love how much support William and Kate give to each other. So nice to see. Congratulations Kate on the success of your beautiful garden. Such a loving and beautiful young family.”